Lance Armstrong Rides Again
Wheel Life column - 5 February, 2000
by Todd Litman and Suzanne Kort - Victoria Transport Policy Institute

Sunday morning bike sport rides sponsored by the Greater Victoria Cycling Coalition have continued through the winter. They leave at 10:00am from the Cook Street Village Moka House. Last Sunday we rode to My Chosen Café for lunch, then took an additional loop through rural Metchosin as illustrated in today's map. It's a fine ride, about 12 kilometers in length. Traffic is light, although the route is rather hilly.

Along the way we saw other cyclists out for training rides. This is not surprizing since competitive cyclists, including our national cycling team, come from throughout Canada to train in our area. These elite riders provide inspiration to amateur cyclists like us.

Although we don't usually write about international bicycle racing in this column, last year's Tour de France win by Lance Armstrong was so astounding and heroic that it deserves revisiting a half year later.

Armstrong was a 24 year old world-class professional racer and World Champion when he was diagnosed with an advanced stage of aggressive testicular cancer in 1996. The cancer had spread to his lungs and brain, and was considered life-threatening. Treatment involved removal of the cancerous testicle, two series of chemotherapy, and surgery to remove cancerous brain lesions.

Armstrong responded to this challenge with a renewed spirit and dedication. He trained hard and after several rejections was accepted on the U.S. Postal Service Pro Cycling Team. A year later he was racing again, and in 1998 finished fourth in the Tour de Spain and the World Championships.

Armstrong demonstrated his determination at the start of the 1999 Tour de France by winning the Prologue. He rode well during the first week, and from the eighth stage on maintained first place. He averaged a record 40.2 kilometres per hour over the entire race.

Let's put Armstrong's accomplishment into context. Bicycle racing in Europe is a rough sport. It traditionally provides an opportunity for poor young men to achieve glory and wealth, like football or basketball in North America. It ranks with boxing and rugby in terms of physical pain and risk.

The Tour de France is the most difficult and challenging bike race. Imagine racing the world's best professional racers nearly every day for a month. Throw in some steep mountain climbs to test your strength, and equally steep descents that risk life and limb. Now, add a wild crowd - a virtual street party - lining the course. Finally, give the leader a bright yellow jersey, a bulls-eye that every other rider can target. This is the ultimate test of an athlete's body and spirit.

Armstrong's win has been an important role model for cancer victims. Last year he established the Lance Armstrong Foundation (http://www.laf.org) to support cancer prevention and survivorship. The foundation is funded by community bike rides and donations. Their major event, called "Ride for the Roses," is held in Armstrong's home town of Austin, Texas during April. The name reflects what Armstrong considers an essential lesson from his experience: "stop and smell the roses." Last October Lance and his wife Kristin had their first child, a healthy boy named Luke David Armstrong.

Armstrong is scheduled to compete in several shorter European races this winter and spring, the Tour de France in July, and the 2000 Olympics in September. For more information visit the Lance Armstrong website at http://www.lancearmstrong.com.